Author: Mirjam

My underrated sleek travel companion – Travel-Size Full Exposure Palette by Smashbox

Yes, it took me THAT long to buy and try this palette, although I am generally a big fan of Smashbox. Although I have always liked the  selection of neutral colors when I looked it up online, the number of negative reviews kind of ruined it for me. Plus, I already have a great selection of eyeshadows (singles and palettes). Another reason why I was hesitant to buy it, was the amount of glitter in the eyeshadows in the top row. Each time I looked at this palette in “person” it was just too glittery for my personal taste because the glitter seemed chunky to me. However, while I was on travel a few weeks ago, I decided to get the small travel-size one and I am glad I did.

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Favorite Skincare Ingredient – 2. Antioxidants

The second blog post of this new ingredient based series is dedicated to antioxidants. They have been very popular as active ingredients for some time now, mainly vitamin C being THE one antioxidant that seemed to have started this trend of incorporating certain vitamins and other antioxidants into modern skincare products, although vitamin E (tocopherol) has been around for what seems forever, especially for treating dry, mature skin and scarring. It was vitamin C though that hit the skincare markets mostly in the form of serums and treatments that help brighten and repair as well as prevent the effects of photo aging of the skin (photo aging basically means “damage to skin cells caused by the sun’s UV rays that results in premature aging of the skin”, i.e. brown spots or hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and can ultimately lead to serious photo damage, like Basal Cell Carcinomas which are the most common kind of skin cancers and are typically found on sun-exposed areas, etc.)*1

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Favorite Skincare Ingredient – 1. Retinol

This series is going to feature my favorite skincare ingredients. I will summarize the pros and cons, why I like this particular ingredient, what it’s used for and whose skin it’s suited for. Each blog post will also give you a selection of products at different price points.

There are only very few ingredients used in the cosmetics industry that can truly live up to their claims. One of them is retinol, simply speaking a form of vitamin A. Often times the other forms of vitamin A (like retinoids) are used interchangeably. What you as a consumer, mainly need to know is that retinol is available in over-the-counter products (OTC), whereas retinoids or Renova and Retin-A (or their main ingredient Tretinoin) etc., are a lot more potent and therefore prescribed by physicians only.

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Cult favorites that are worth the splurge – Pixi’s Glow Tonic

So many beauty bloggers and skincare experts have raved about the Pixi Glow Tonic (and I believe it all started with Caroline Hirons pushing this product as an affordable dupe for the legendary P50 liquid exfoliant). Of course I had to give it a try as well. Since I wasn’t able to find it at my local Target (that usually carries their whole makeup range), I had to order it online from their website. The bottle contains 250 ml/8.5 fl.oz and retails for $29/£16.00.

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Kitty Favorites

As a cat lover and makeup enthusiast I always enjoy makeup products that feature a kitty theme – the quirkier the better! Here’s a small selection of my favorite makeup and beauty products that offer the right amount of cattitude. All approved by my beloved beautiful Lily Belle (may she rest in peace).

Kitty Favorites © skinandcolors.com

Kitty Favorites approved by Lily Belle
© skinandcolors.com

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